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  "I appreciate that."

  I left the bar and strolled down the dock to the Vivere with Samantha Baxter's file under my arm. I crossed the gangway to the aft deck and rejoined the fray.

  There were way more dudes on the boat than when I left. It was turning into a sausage fest. These guys were rowdy, loud, and drinking all of our beer.

  I weaved through the horde of revelers and moved below deck and pushed into my master suite. I stuffed Samantha’s file into a compartment for safekeeping. I'd sift through it later.

  I rejoined the party and tried to get back into the mood, but the image of Samantha Baxter was etched into my brain. I wouldn’t be able to do much about it right now because I had a pressing engagement—an assignment from Isabella, my former handler at Cobra Company.

  I had agreed to one more job for the clandestine agency—one that was supposed to be a simple protection detail. But no assignment from Isabella was ever that easy. I was scheduled to leave in the morning.

  I mingled through the salon, taking in the madness. I felt like a college kid on spring break, surrounded by intoxicated revelers—only I would be the one cleaning up after the party.

  My eyes caught sight of a stunning blonde. Her hair was cut in a short, sleek bob. Her blue bikini complemented her tanned skin. From where I was standing, the view was magnificent. She put the time in at the gym. She had deep muscle cuts in her back, and her glutes were sculpted to perfection. She was fit, athletic, and elegant.

  An obnoxious douchebag was hitting on her. The big guy with the gold chain and the orange board shorts kept pawing on her. Every time he touched her, she’d slink away.

  “Please, don’t touch me,” she finally cautioned.

  “Sensitive,” he mocked.

  “Whatever you’re hoping might happen between us, it won’t. So, save yourself the trouble.” She flashed a fake smile.

  “You can at least give a guy a chance. Hell, you don’t even know me.”

  “And I don’t want to.”

  She turned away, and he grabbed her arm.

  Big mistake.

  She jerked free. “Look, ass-wad. Touch me again and I will kick your ass!”

  The big guy laughed. She was half his size. She had a helluva bark, but I wondered about her bite.

  “Now you’re talking, sugar,” he said with a grin. “Show me what you’ve got.”

  I decided it was time to intervene before things got out of hand. I strolled into the fray. “I think she’s not interested, pal.”

  His face twisted into a scowl. “Who asked you?”

  “It’s my boat. This is my party. Leave the lady alone, or you can get the hell out.”

  He puffed up. “You gonna make me?”

  I stared up at him. His chest was twice the size of mine, and his legs were like oak trees. All I could think about was the stuff that would get broken in the salon if things went south. There was a flatscreen TV. Glassware at the bar. A carbon fiber Hi-Lo table.

  Hopefully the things that got broken wouldn’t be me.

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I will make you. Not only will I kick you off my boat, I will take you to jail.” I pulled my badge from my pocket and flashed the shiny gold thing in his face. “Is she really worth all that trouble?”

  4

  The big dude glared at me for a moment, then backed away. He grumbled, “She’s not that hot anyway.”

  I watched him and his buddy drift to the aft deck. They gathered a few of his friends, and for a moment, I thought he was going to come back and start shit. But he, and his goons, stomped across the gangway and strolled up the dock, looking for other trouble to get into.

  “I’m sorry about that. Some guys just don’t know when to quit.”

  The blonde arched an annoyed eyebrow. “Is this the part where you swoop in like a white knight, save me from some jackass, and I’m supposed to fall into your arms?”

  “I hadn’t really thought about it, but if you insist.” I grinned.

  She sneered at me. “I can handle myself. Thank you.”

  My brow lifted, taken aback. “I’m sure you can. You look more than capable. I’d hate to get on your bad side.”

  She continued to glare at me.

  “I’m Tyson,” I said, extending my hand.

  She looked at me flatly. “I’m not interested.”

  The blonde spun around and strolled toward the aft deck. I watched those magnificent glutes sway.

  I was certainly intrigued.

  I got a drink from the bar, then climbed the stairs to the flybridge. Jack was in the Jacuzzi with two hotties, one on each arm. Somehow he’d managed to win over his pageant debate partner. She clung to him as water bubbled in the jacuzzi. An ear to ear grin tugged Jack’s face. "What the hell happened to you? You're missing all the fun. Did you score the old lady, or something?”

  I sneered at him. “She’s a cold case. I'll tell you about it later."

  I sipped my beer and looked out over the marina. From the fly-bridge, the view was spectacular. Sunlight glimmered on the water. Gulls hung in the air. Boats swayed with the waves.

  The two girls pawed on JD, and he regaled them with old war stories. They seemed enthralled.

  I left him to his conquests and moved to the aft fly-deck. I glanced down to the main aft deck and saw the muscle head with the orange board shorts return with a buddy. By the look on his face, I knew he was here to cause trouble.

  I grimaced and descended the steps to the salon. I confronted the two goons as I stepped to the aft deck. “Sorry, I think you boys lost your boat privileges. Why don’t you turn your happy asses around and get off my boat?”

  Orange snarled at me. “I don’t think this is your boat. Cops can’t afford boats like this. And I don’t think you’re even a cop. That’s a fake badge.”

  I sighed. “You’re making a mistake.”

  “No. You’re the one who is making a mistake.”

  The goon smacked my chest with his palms. His meaty hands staggered me back, knocking me off balance.

  Then he swung a hard right.

  His massive fist rushed toward my face like a wrecking ball. His knuckles connected with my jaw, twisting my head to the side. Blood spewed from my lips, spattering the bulkhead.

  There were gasps all around.

  The blow knocked me to the deck. The boy packed a helluva punch. My jaw throbbed, and my mouth filled with the tinny metallic taste.

  I pushed off, but before I could spring to my feet, the goon was towering over me. Another fist careened toward my face, hitting me square in the cheek.

  Son-of-a-bitch!

  This was starting to piss me off.

  I had underestimated the guy, or overestimated myself. If things didn't change quickly, I was in line for a beating. In front of a crowd of people, no less.

  The big ogre reared his fist back, ready for another blow. It hovered above me like a cinderblock, then began its inevitable descent.

  Before he could complete his swing, the blonde grabbed his forearm, and punched a hard left into his kidney.

  He arched to the side with a groan.

  She wrenched his arm behind his back, twisting it around, taking him down to the deck. The big guy slammed the teak wood with a heavy thud. The vibration rumbled through the hull. It was like a little termite had brought down a giant redwood.

  The blonde grabbed the back of his hair, yanked his head back, then smashed his face into the deck, shattering his nose.

  Blood painted the teak wood.

  The goon’s buddy stared in disbelief. He'd just watched a 6’4” behemoth get taken down by a 5’5” blonde. He looked like he wanted to jump in and assist, but conflict twisted his face. He thought about it for a moment.

  One glare from the blonde settled any debate within his mind. He raised his arms in surrender and backed away.

  I watched the whole thing in amazement.

  Blondie lorded over Orange. "Had enough, or do you want more?"

 
; "Enough," Orange slurred, blood dribbling from his lips.

  "Get off the boat while you can still walk,” Blondie commanded.

  Orange nodded, pushed up from the deck, and wiped the blood from his lips on his arm. He glared at the two of us, then staggered across the gangway with his buddy. They slithered away down the dock with their tails between their legs.

  The blonde extended her hand, and I clasped it. She pulled me from the deck. "I told you I could take care of myself."

  A grin tugged at my lips.

  “And by the way, I’m worth the trouble,” she said with a sassy voice.

  This was the woman of my dreams.

  5

  “Impressive,” I said. “Where did you learn to fight like that?”

  “Obnoxious older brothers,” she said.

  “You seem pretty handy to have around. Let’s try this again. I’m Tyson,” I said extending my hand.

  “And I’m still not interested.”

  I chuckled. “Fair enough. Well, thank you for saving my ass.”

  This time she didn’t stroll away.

  She looked at me with a mildly perturbed, yet somewhat curious look. Perhaps she took pity on me? The obligatory conversation with the guy who almost got his ass kicked defending her honor?

  I didn’t really care why she was talking to me, I was just happy that she was. It made my split lip and my throbbing jaw somewhat worth it.

  “Is this really your boat?” she asked with a healthy dose of skepticism in her voice.

  “Yeah. I own it with JD.”

  “Who is JD?”

  “Long hair, loud shirt, looks like he stepped out of an—”

  “…’80s music video?”

  “Exactly.”

  She rolled her eyes. “It’s a big boat. What are you compensating for?”

  I laughed. “You’re welcome to find out.”

  “Thanks, but no. The last thing I need is to get involved with a guy who can’t handle himself in a fight.”

  “Ouch. You get in a lot of fights?”

  She smiled. “Here and there.”

  “What are you, some type of MMA cage fighter?”

  She laughed. “No. But, maybe I should make a career change?”

  “I’d watch you on pay-per-view.”

  “I bet you would.”

  She acted completely disinterested. But she was still talking to me. Always a good sign.

  “So, if you’re not a cage fighter, what do you do for a living?”

  “That’s a rather boring question. Certainly you can think of something better than that?”

  “Okay. You want engaging conversation, rather than mindless chitchat.”

  “If you think you’re going to get me out of this bikini, you’re going to have to work for it.”

  “What makes you think I want to get you out of that bikini?”

  She scoffed. “Please. Tell me you don’t want to slip these bottoms off, bend me over, and take me right here.”

  I swallowed hard and thought about protesting her statement. She cut me off before I could utter a word.

  “Don’t start our relationship off with a lie,” she cautioned.

  I cleared my throat. ”So, this is a relationship?”

  Her eyes narrowed at me. “Certainly not.”

  “Maybe I don’t believe in premarital sex?”

  She burst into laughter. “I said don’t lie.”

  “I wasn’t lying. Merely posing a question.”

  She arched an eyebrow at me.

  “But, if the offer was on the table, I’d probably take you up on it.” Then I added. “I might regret it, though.”

  That drew her curiosity. “Why would you regret it?”

  “Because… we’d be trouble together. And the breakup… oh, my God… that would be horrendous. You’d kick my ass.”

  Her face crinkled dismissively. “Getting ahead of yourself there, aren’t you? It would only be a one-time thing.”

  I shook my head. “Nope. No way. You’d be back for more.”

  Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped in disbelief. “A little cocky, aren’t you?”

  I shrugged. “I know what I’m good at.”

  “I think you’d be the one coming back for more. Like a stray cat and a bowl of milk. I’d never get rid of you.”

  I didn’t doubt she had the ability to keep a man wanting more.

  I scooped my beer bottle from the deck which was mostly empty now. “Can I get you another drink?”

  Her eyes narrowed as she thought about it. “Whiskey. Rocks.”

  “Good choice. Don’t go anywhere.”

  She raised her hands innocently.

  I marched back into the salon, threw away the empty beer bottle, and ordered two whiskeys from the bartender. A slight grin tugged my split lips.

  When I returned to the aft deck, Blondie was gone.

  I caught sight of her strolling down the dock toward Diver Down.

  My grin faded, and I exhaled a disappointed breath.

  6

  "Oh, my God! You are not going to believe it!" Scarlett shouted into the phone.

  I juggled two drinks, then found a place to set one down. Still holding a glass of whiskey, I plugged one ear, trying to hear her voice over the music. "You sound excited. I take it something good happened?"

  "No. Not good. Great!”

  "Hang on, let me get somewhere where I can hear you."

  "What is happening there?" she asked.

  I moved through the salon, descended the steps, and moved down the companionway to the master suite. I stepped inside and pulled the hatch shut behind me. The music dropped to a dull thud. The footsteps of revelers above, stomping around the deck, echoed through the hull.

  "Just a little bash we decided to throw when we thought we'd have to sell the boat."

  "Aw, I'm sad I'm missing it."

  "So, what's the big news?" I asked.

  "I got an audition. Yay!"

  I smiled. "That's fantastic.

  "It's for a small part in a small film."

  "That's great. Have you told Jack?”

  "No. You can't say anything, either."

  "Why not?"

  "Because, if I don't get it, I don't want to seem like a failure."

  "Just because you don't book your first audition doesn't mean you're a failure. Do you know how many auditions an actor has to go on to book a role? A LOT!”

  "I know. I just want to start strong."

  "You will," I said. "I have no doubt you'll be fantastic. When is the audition?"

  "Tomorrow. 10 AM." She shrieked with excitement. "I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight. I'm so wired up."

  "Take a deep breath and focus. Work on your lines, rehearse your scene. You got this."

  "I'm gonna nail it. You watch."

  "I have full faith and confidence in you. "

  “Thank you for everything, Tyson,” Scarlett said in a sincere voice. “I wouldn’t be out here if it weren't for you. I wouldn’t have an agent. My career would have been over before it began. I meet so many people here that can’t even get an agent. You're the greatest. You know that?”

  I feigned modesty. "Well I do have my good points."

  She chuckled.

  "I want you to call me as soon as you get out of your audition and tell me how it went."

  "Will do."

  "Break a leg," I said. It was actor speak for good luck.

  “Leg=broken,” she replied confidently.

  I hung up the phone and slipped it back into my pocket.

  It was good to see Scarlett excited. And from what I could tell, she was focused and dedicated to her career. The life of an aspiring actress in Hollywood isn't easy, and both JD and I had grave concerns about her being on her own in a town with endless temptations. Especially with her history of indulgences.

  I pushed through the hatch and made my way back up to the salon. The horde of revelers grew more tipsy with each passing moment. I didn't kn
ow half the people on the boat, and I really would have rather settled in for a cozy evening in preparation of my journey.

  Denise crossed the gangway and stepped to the aft deck. The stunning redhead drew the eyes of every guy on the boat. Tongues hit the floor. Her emerald eyes sparkled, and her creamy skin glowed. She wore the teeniest of black bikinis, and the taut fabric struggled against her supple curves.

  I pushed through the salon then stepped to the aft deck before she was mauled by the rabid dogs.

  Her eyes lit up when she saw me, then they widened with horror as I drew closer. “Oh, my God! What happened to your face?”

  She reached a hand out to touch my swollen jawline, and I pulled away.

  “Minor altercation. What are you doing here?” I asked. “I thought you had to work?"

  "Hargrove wants me to take his shift tomorrow, so we swapped,” she said. "I thought I'd come and drink your beer."

  "By all means." I smiled and led her through the salon to the bar. With a nod, I drew the bartender's attention. "A beer for the lady.”

  He snatched a long neck from a tub of ice, spun a bottle opener, and flicked off the top with a hiss. I took the cold bottle and handed it to Denise, dripping with condensation.

  "Thank you," she said, then took a sip. "You guys really went all out."

  "First class all the way!” I said with a grin. "I'm really glad you came."

  "Me too."

  I held my glass in the air. ”To professional relationships.”

  She echoed the sentiment and we clinked drinks.

  We were both trying to adhere to Sheriff Daniels's ban on interdepartmental romances, though there was something undeniable between us. We’d been doing a pretty good job of keeping things strictly professional, but with the way she looked today, I could feel my willpower fading.

  She was a good cop, and we worked well together. Neither one of us wanted to screw that up. And she had made it clear in no uncertain terms that she didn't want to be another one-nighter.

  I would have to be content to contain my desires and admire her from afar. But, maybe not too far.

  A woman like Denise wouldn't stay single forever. I was surprised she hadn't been snatched up already. One of these days she'd show up with a boyfriend, and I wasn't exactly sure how I would feel about that. But I guess I didn't really have a say in the matter.